life

Being a two-year-old is not easy! So many feelings and, typically, insufficient vocabulary to match. It can, indeed, be terrible being two.
Helping young children identify and name their emotions is something we do beginning in our 2s program. It allows children to become more comfortable...

At Montclare, I have loved teaching music to all age groups for well over a decade. However, for the last 5 years I have also had the pleasure of teaching yoga to our 4-year-olds! At the end of each yoga practice, I include a 3-5...

Standing at the door for morning arrival or afternoon dismissal is often a favorite part of my day at work. Montclare administrators all take turns greeting our families and monitoring the many arrivals and dismissals for the very practical purpose of safety (those little ones...

By Patti Sayre, Psychotherapist, L.C.S.W (Patti has joined us at Montclare to present parenting workshops over the years. Sign up for her newsletter!)
Autumn is the perfect season to illustrate the key features of transitions. In a time of transition, we become travelers on uncertain terrain. We...

by Karen Marcus
“Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best” – Bob Talbert
I love being a preschool teacher. I love seeing little faces light up with a smile when I open the door to the classroom every morning. I love...

Getting to know Montclare's Music Teacher, Noel Cohen!
Hi, Noel. I know you live on the UWS. Where did you grow up?
I grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, and went to public school from 1st grade through 8th grade. I started out at...

Born and raised on the Upper East Side (UES), I have had the privilege of living all over this magnificent island of Manhattan. Today, however, the Upper West Side is my home and, even before I had children, it felt like a place to grow...

Making Lemonade Out of Lemons: A Lesson in Giving Back and Speaking Up!
A few years ago I learned about an amazing foundation called Alex’s Lemonade Stand. For those of you who don’t know about this incredible organization, let me take a few moments to explain. At age...

"Interesting" year, 2016. Not my favorite and I'm not the only one saying so (Good Riddance 2016!). However, if thinking back on this calendar year gives me pause, what awaits us in 2017? Sure, I fully understand that January 1st is just the day after...